The Ultimate 3 to 5 Day Iceland Itinerary (Without a Car)

Planning a trip to Iceland but don’t want to hire a car? No problem. Iceland is still an amazing destination to visit, even without a rental car. I spent a long weekend in Iceland without hiring a vehicle. I had the best time exploring the country in a different way.

Below, I’ve shared an ideal 3-day Iceland itinerary (without a car). I’ve also included two other days in case you have some extra time in Iceland.

Iceland is an incredible destination. It’s home to some of the most wonderful scenery – from eerie volcanic landscapes to mighty glaciers, Iceland is truly one-of-a-kind.

Many people will tell you that the only way to see Iceland properly is to hire a car. Sure, driving a car means you can go further afield and explore at your own pace. However, it’s more than possible to have a brilliant time in Iceland without a car.

The main thing to be aware of when visiting Iceland without a car is that there’s not a great public transport system outside of the city. This means the best way to explore beyond Reykjavik is by joining day tours or even overnight tours. These can be expensive but they’re well worth it and a comparable cost to hiring a vehicle anyway. Iceland is generally an expensive place, but it’s possible to visit on a budget.

In the post below, I’ve shared my ultimate 3 or 5-day Iceland itinerary without a car. This includes a winter alternative and some other ideas in case you have some extra days. In my opinion, it’s the perfect itinerary for first-timers who have yet to experience this wonderful country.

Where to stay in Iceland without a car

The best place to stay in Iceland without a car is Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city. If you want to see more of the country, you can join several epic day trips from Reykjavik.

Iceland has a population of only 372,000. Almost 123,000 of those people live in Reykjavik or the surrounding area. It’s a lively spot with plenty of nice restaurants and bars. It’s a good base for your time in Iceland.

Discover the best accommodation in Reykjavik in my 7-day Iceland itinerary.

3 to 5 Day Iceland Itinerary Without a Car

Day 1: Arrival, the Blue Lagoon and Reykjavik

Welcome to Iceland, the land of fire and ice. After landing at the airport, your first stop is the famous Blue Lagoon.

This is one of the world’s most famous spas and for very good reason. I’m not the biggest fan of spas, but this is one of my favourite things to do in Iceland. Nestled amongst lava fields, the Blue Lagoon is the perfect place to kick off your Iceland adventure.

The Blue Lagoon offers direct coach transfers from Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon. They also offer transfers to Reykjavik afterwards.

You’ll need to book your slot at the Blue Lagoon ahead of time. It’s Iceland’s most popular attraction and slots can fill up well ahead of time, especially in the peak season.

If you want to skip the Blue Lagoon and head straight to Reykjavik, I’d suggest using Fly Bus to get to Reykjavik without a car. Fly Bus offer regular airport transfers after each flight lands. It’s a convenient and quick way to get into the city.

Once you’ve settled into your accommodation, spend the rest of the day exploring Reykjavik. Some of the best things to do in Reykjavik include visiting the Hallgrimskirkja church, exploring the harbour area and searching for street art.

If you skipped the Blue Lagoon, you could consider a visit to the Sky Lagoon. Relax in the mineral-rich waters in the infinity pool with ocean views. I prefer the Blue Lagoon, but the Sky Lagoon is a great alternative.

Spend the evening enjoying the nightlife in Reykjavik or try one of the many delicious restaurants.

Day 2: The Golden Circle

Day two of this Iceland itinerary will be spent exploring Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle.

The Golden Circle is one of Iceland’s most popular road trips. The full-day adventure takes you to some of Iceland’s most fascinating natural wonders. This includes the mighty Gullfoss, one of Iceland’s most spectacular waterfalls. Just down the road is the Geysir Geothermal Area. This is your chance to witness the volcanic activity taking place right below your feet. Watch the magnificent Strokkur geyser erupt and stroll amongst vibrant lakes and bubbling mud pools.

Thingvellir National Park is another epic spot when exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle. Here, you can walk between two tectonic plates. This is the only place in the world where this is possible.

The Kerid Crater is also considered part of Iceland’s Golden Circle. Visitors can walk around this colourful volcanic crater and admire the green water.

To see the Golden Circle without a car, you’ll need to join a day tour from Reykjavik. There are several different options to choose from and narrowing it down can be a little overwhelming.

I’ve narrowed down the list for you and shared what I consider to be the best Golden Circle tours.

Visiting Iceland’s Golden Circle will take a full day. It’s a long day, so spend the evening relaxing before tomorrow’s big day.

Day 3: The South Coast

Today will be spent exploring Iceland’s famous South Coast. This famous stretch of coastline is filled with natural wonders. With epic glaciers, spectacular waters and black sand beaches, this will no doubt be an unforgettable day.

There are so many tours to choose from when it comes to exploring the South Coast of Iceland. The truth is, there are so many things to see, it’s going to be impossible to see everything in just one day.

I’d recommend choosing a tour which stops at both Skogafoss and Seljalandsfoss. These are two of the most well-known waterfalls in Iceland and all of Europe. Even if you’re not that interested in waterfalls, these two spots are a must-visit.

Most South Coast tours will also include a stop at the famous Reynisfjara Beach. This black sand beach is known for its basalt columns and dangerous waves.

Many visitors to Iceland are keen to see the Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon and Diamond Beach. The Glacier Lagoon is a five-hour drive from Reykjavik so it’s difficult to do as a day trip from Reykjavik. Having said that, this tour does offer a day trip to the lagoon from Reykjavik. Honestly… while the lagoon and Diamond Beach are both impressive, I’m not sure it’s worth it as a day trip from Reykjavik.

Day 4: The Snaefellsnes Peninsula

If you have 4 or 5 days in Iceland, a trip to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula is an absolute must on your Iceland itinerary.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula is a remote and beautiful region of Iceland. It’s only a couple of hours drive from Reykjavik and it’s the perfect way to spend one of your days in Iceland.

Some of the highlights in the Snaefellsnes Peninsula include the Kirkjufell Mountain, the Budakirkja church and Djupalonssandur beach. I’d recommend joining a small mini-bus tour for the best experience.

The Snaefellsnes Peninsula has a completely different feel to it than the South Coast. It’s well worth visiting if you have the time.

Day 5: Activity day

Have another day in Iceland? Thankfully, even without a car, there is still SO much to do.

I’d suggest spending today exploring your adventurous side. There are so many once-in-a-lifetime activities in Iceland. Here are a few bucket list activities to consider adding to your Iceland itinerary.

One of the best things to do in Iceland is to hike on a glacier. A fantastic glacier hike in Iceland is on the Solheimajokull glacier. This beast of a glacier is in South Iceland and is full of incredible ice formations, even caves and waterfalls (in the winter).

To hike on a glacier from Reykjavik, I’d suggest joining a South Coast day tour which includes a glacier hike. My friend recently did this day trip and only had good things to say. It also includes a stop at the Skogafoss Waterfall.  

Another epic thing to do in Iceland is to explore its volcanic activity away from the classic Golden Circle route. One way to do this is by hiking to the Reykjadalur Geothermal River. This river is naturally heated by all the volcanic activity going on beneath the ground. It’s a much more natural experience than that of the Blue Lagoon.

If you have half a day to fill, consider a whale watching tour from Reykjavik. Iceland is one of the best places in the world to go whale watching. You can do whale watching tours all year from Iceland’s capital. Look out for Humpback and Minke whales.

Another half-day activity option is swimming between tectonic plates in Thingvellir National Park. This unique activity can only be done in Iceland. The tour involves snorkelling in some of the clearest water in the entire world. You’ll be between both the North American and Eurasian plates in the Silfra Fissure. I’ve yet to do this activity but it’s at the top of my list for when I return to Iceland.

Other ideas for exploring Iceland without a car

Multiday tours

If you have a bit longer in Iceland or want to explore further afield, you could consider joining a multi-day tour. It’s even possible to do the South Coast as an overnight tour. It allows you to spend longer exploring the attractions and go a little further along the road.

The overnight tours do tend to be more on the expensive side, but they normally include your accommodation and sometimes even meals.

This tour takes guests along the South Coast to many of the highlights. This includes a boat ride on the famous Glacier Lagoon, seeing Skogafoss, a hike to a glacier viewpoint and visiting the famous Reynisfjara Beach. The truth is, this wouldn’t be possible to do in just one day from Reykjavik.

You could also look at the likes of G Adventures and Intrepid who offer small group tours in Iceland. I’ve used G Adventures worldwide several times and can’t recommend them enough.

Winter alternatives

If you’re visiting Iceland in the winter, the above 3-day itinerary should still be doable. Most of the tour operators run throughout the year. While the roads to the main tourist attractions are generally kept clear, heavy snow can still cause road closures. Be prepared to change your plans if visiting Iceland in the winter.

Here are a few extra activities available during Iceland’s winter:

• Explore an ice cave: seeing an ice cave is a unique activity in Iceland! In the winter months, it’s possible to explore several ice caves in Iceland. I’d suggest looking at the Crystal Ice Cave or the Katla Ice Cave. Many operators provide day tours from Reykjavik to these destinations.
  
  
• Ride a snowmobile: want to ride a snowmobile across a glacier? Well, in Iceland you can. There are several tours from Reykjavik which offer a snowmobile ride, including this one which also takes you around the Golden Circle.
  
  
• See the Northern Lights: many visitors head to Iceland in the winter months to see the infamous Northern Lights. Thankfully, you don’t need to join a tour to see the Northern Lights, it’s often possible to see them in Reykjavik. Having said that, if you join a Northern Lights tour you’ll be taken away from any light pollution. This gives you a better chance at seeing the Northern Lights.

Iceland busses

It is possible to catch a bus between some of the towns in Iceland. However, I don’t necessarily recommend this. The bus timetable and network in Iceland isn’t the most extensive. Even if you manage to make it to a town such as Vik, you’re still going to need a car once you’re there to reach the attractions.

While the idea of spending time in a smaller Icelandic town sounds nice, I’m not convinced it’s worth the effort. Of course, it might be you’re planning a relaxing retreat in the Icelandic countryside, or simply want to experience life outside of the capital. In this case, using the bus may be your best option.  

For public buses, check out the official timetable here. This includes buses around Reykjavik and between popular towns.

Note: there is talk online about a tourist “bus pass” which is a hop-on, hop-off service along the South Coast. However, I can’t find any information to verify that this still exists. I’ve contacted the company and have not heard back, so I’m going to assume it no longer exists. If this changes, I will update this section of the post.

If you want to explore an off the beaten path area of Iceland without a car, it’s possible to get a bus into the Icelandic Highlands. The bus takes hikers to popular hiking trails with a few scenic stops along the way.

Hitchhiking in Iceland

Hitchhiking is a common sight in Iceland. On my solo road trip around the ring road, I came across several backpackers trying to flag cars down for a ride.

Iceland is one of the safest countries in the world, in fact, it’s THE safest country in the world. Serious crime is almost unheard of in Iceland. Many backpackers explore Iceland by hitchhiking and have a trouble-free time. However, hitchhiking can have its dangers.

Hitchhiking is something I’ve never done. I’m not sure I ever will (unless it’s an emergency). Of course, you may feel more confident than me, especially if you’re not travelling alone.

If you’re a solo female traveller in Iceland, I’d suggest sticking to day tours or buses.

Iceland Ring Road without a car

I’m going to be honest here – completing Iceland’s ring road without a car will be difficult and expensive (unless you plan to hitchhike).

Hitchhiking aside, many of the major towns on Iceland’s ring road don’t have bus connections between them. Even if you do make it to the towns, you’re not going to be able to reach many of the attractions.

The best way to see Iceland’s ring road without a car is to join a small group tour.

Summary: Iceland without a car

Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible to visit Iceland without a car. They’re wrong. Sure, you might not have the freedom to go off exploring and discovering hidden gems, but it’s still possible to fill your trip with incredible highlights.

Whatever your reason for not hiring a car in Iceland, don’t let it put you off from visiting altogether. There are so many reasons to visit Iceland and many of these can be experienced without a car.

Did you find this post useful? Share on social media below.